A trigger finger is a very common and treatable problem. It can occur in both fingers and the thumbs, which have tendons that help them to bend. The flexor tendons that bend the fingers have a lining on the outside. This lining is called tenosynovium.
Trigger finger is one of the most common causes of hand pain in adults. The reported prevalence is roughly 2 percent in the general population, and is most common among women in the fifth or sixth decade of life [1]. It can occur in one or more fingers in each hand and can be bilateral.
The condition is most common in women over the age of 50. You may be at higher risk of trigger finger if you have diabetes, low thyroid function or rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment of trigger finger can include splinting, steroid injections or surgery.
Trigger finger is one of the most common complaints by patients presenting to their primary care physician. It is estimated there are more than 200,000 cases per year in the United States. It is seen more commonly in women between the ages of 40 to 60, although it can present as early as birth in some children.
Depending on the severity, trigger finger can range from a minor nuisance to extreme pain that interferes with daily activities. Fortunately, trigger finger is easily treated and—in many cases—cured.
Trigger finger can recur but the condition generally corrects itself after a short while. More severe cases may become locked in the bent position and require surgery to correct it.
Although it's rarely noticed at birth, trigger finger and thumb can be present in infancy. The condition is also often found in older children between the ages of 1 and 4.
We've shown for the first time that this co-occurrence can partly be explained by genetics.” The NDORMS researchers hypothesised that the co-occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger may in part be explained by a shared genetic predisposition.
People who regularly play video games may also experience trigger finger, or stenosing tenosynovitis, when chronic inflammation causes a finger to become stuck in a bent position, as well as tennis elbow, when the tendon that attaches to the elbow becomes inflamed.
The main cause of trigger finger is swelling and inflammation around the tendon. Without treatment, the finger may become locked in the bent position. People who have hobbies or jobs that require repetitive gripping or squeezing are more likely to develop trigger finger, as are people with diabetes.
Anxiety can affect the entire body, and that includes your fingers. Finger symptoms may include pain, numbness/tingling, and spasms. Many finger-related symptoms point to adrenaline or hyperventilation as the likely cause. Anxiety can make someone more sensitive to “normal” finger sensations.
Repetitive Stress
Those who frequently engage in the same movements of the hand are more likely to develop trigger fingers. This is due to the repeated strain put on the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Trigger finger isn't usually anything serious, but it can cause pain and limited mobility and be a major nuisance. Trigger finger can also get worse over time if left untreated, and it may become permanently stuck in a bent or straight position. If your finger stays locked, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Trigger finger is a progressive hand condition. Over time, trigger finger can worsen without proper treatment. The fingers could remain locked in a bent position or in a straight position (less common).
Trigger finger gets worse with overuse. So persons should recognize any triggers and avoid activities causing the pain. Over-the-counter medicines like NSAIDs can help at this point. Proper pain management can restore range of motion in many cases.
“Repetitive-motion activities such as texting and gaming could potentially cause or worsen trigger finger,” says Dr. Chen. “Sometimes overuse, lifting something heavy or trauma can cause trigger finger, as well.”
A temporary sticking or popping in any finger or thumb when you bend the finger — trigger finger — can be treated without surgery, but in some cases an outpatient procedure may be needed to free the inflamed tendon causing the condition.
Viking Disease, more commonly known as Dupuytren's contracture, is a debilitating affliction in which knots of tissue form in the palm of the hand and gradually contract overtime, permanently bending the fingers.
Trigger thumb refers to a thumb that catches, locks, or gets stuck in a flexed position. Pediatric trigger thumb is thought to affect as many as three out of every 1,000 children. It is not truly congenital (present at birth), but is most common in children younger than 5 years old.
Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Trigger finger release surgery is done in 5 minutes procedure. Currently, with the help of special advanced equipment, trigger finger release surgery is done under ultrasound guidance. The doctor will insert a needle into the affected tendon and poke the sheath to release the tendon.
In most cases, trigger finger is a nuisance rather than a serious condition. However, if it is not treated, the affected finger or thumb may become permanently stuck in a bent position. This can make carrying out everyday tasks difficult.
Trigger finger usually gets better with rest, splinting, and OTC medications. Gentle stretching exercises can help ease stiffness and increase the range of movement in the affected hand. Anyone who experiences severe or persistent pain from trigger finger should speak to a doctor.
It can be painful to try and bend the finger due to the compression of the fluid. Over time, the person may start to avoid a bent position of the finger to limit pain. Trigger fingers can also result in loss of the ability to straighten the finger. Some patients will feel pain trying to fully straighten.
Trigger finger and arthritis can both cause pain and stiffness in your fingers and hands, but trigger finger isn't a type of arthritis. Trigger finger happens when a tendon or tendon sheath in your fingers or thumb is swollen and can't move as smoothly as it should.